Carton closing mechanism



Jan. 20, 1942. w. G. KALISKA CARTON CLOSING MECHANISM Filed Apfil 2,1938 I5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 20,1942. w. G. KALISKA CARTON CLOSING MECHANISM s Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledApril 2, 1938 lnwc/n on bfriz,

Patented Jan. 20, 1942 CARTON cnosmc MECHANISM William G. Kaliska,Atlanta, Ga., assignor to The Coca-Cola Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April 2, 1938', Serial No. 199,644

Claims.

This invention relates to the beverage industry, and more particularlyto a new and improved closing and locking device intended primarily foruse in the placing of bottles in cartons and closing and locking thecontainers in such manner that they may be transported without the lossof their contents.

Today, cartons of what is generally known as the open type are popular,many millions of these being used in the United States each year.Bottles are generally placed in such containers by hand, the carrierthen being brought together and fastened, this manual operationentailing the expenditure of a varying amount of time, depending uponthe skill of the packer and the difficulty which he may experience infastening the carton once it is filled; the aggregate of which time isconsiderable in large bottling plants and like places where suchoperations are carried on extensively.

An object 01 the present invention is to provide a closing and lockingdevice which is automatic in its operation.

Another object is to provide in such a device positive means for lockinga carton without the Another object is to provide a time saving deviceior the bottling industry.

These and other objects made apparent throughout the further progress 0!this specification are accomplished by means of my closing and. lockingdevice, a full and complete understanding of which is facilitated byreference to porting bed, and closing frame of myinvention.

Fig. 4 is anenlarged end view 015 the jaws and bed showing in detailcertain features thereof.

illustrating a closing or locking operation in progress.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantiallyalong-the line 66 of Fig. 4, and showing in detail the manner in whichthe closing frame clears on the hinge side of the jaw.

Fig. 7 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5, showing thelocking operation completed. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the structureshown in Fig. 7, in which the carton has been closed.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a view in perspective of an assem- I bled carton removed fromthe closing machine and ready to be transported.

The instant device is intended primarily for use with containers of thetype disclosed and described in detail in my co-pending patentapplication Serial No. 178,668 for Cartons, although it is not to belimited-to such use, and as a mat-' ter of fact, with certainmodification, may be adapted to other carriers without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the instant invention.

The carton shown comprises essentially a blank or strip I 0 havingapertures II for; receiving the basesof bottles, and aligned openings l2through which are passed ,the necks thereof, the upper portion of theblank having a cut out section [3, throughwhich is passed a flap ll(Fig. 5), said flap then being bent upwardly for the purpose of forminga carrying surface which will be easy on the hand (Fig. 7)

From one side of the upper portion of blank Ill is cut or stamped alocking tab I5, said tab being provided with an aperture it near the endthereof, of such circumference as to pass over the cap and upper neckportion of a bottle 'I'l disposed on the opposite side of the cartonfrom that from which said tab is formed.

A carton of the above description is shown the drawings in conjunctionwith, my locking device, which device comprises asupporting bed l8anchored to the top of a table l9, said table having legs [9' supportingthe working surface thereof at a suitable working height above thefloor, said supporting bed having hinged to oppo- Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to that shown in Fig. 4

site sides thereof a pair of jaws 20, which combined structure forms acradle or mold in which the carton may be placed and filled.

Jaws 2. (Figs. 3 and 4) comprise identical bottles protruding from thecarrier. To prevent an endwise movement of the carton strip during theassembly operation, edges 24 are provided for said jaws, said edges attheir bottoms being perforated as at 25 to receive pintles 26 whicharepassed therethrough and likewise through ears inside of said jaws forthe purpose of receiving the bases of bottles placed in the carton; andcoil springs 28 may be attached to outside portions: of the jaws and totable l9, thereby holding said members in a normally open position.

A pair of wearing plates 29 and 29' is secured to the lower outsideportions of jaws 20, plate 29' forming a greater angle with itsassociated element than does 29, thereby facilitating the lockingmovement of the device by insuring a slight difference in the startingtime for the upward movement of said aws. That is, the inertia of onemember has been overcome by the closing frame and that member is inmovement before the opposite jaw is contacted, this spaced startinghaving beneficial result as above. addition, thi difference in angleserves a useful purpose in synchronizing the action of the elementswhich effect the actual locking .of the carton, as will be evident fromthe description of such movement set forth later in this specification.

On one of jaws 20 and near the top thereof is securely anchored a flatspring 3t, said spring having-a curved upper portion 3i and an end 32'pointing slightly upward. Element 30 is preferably disposed midwaybetween the ends of the jaw with which it is associated; and on theopand nut then uniting said pedal with 31 in such manner as to form aslip-joint at this point.

Pedal 4| is pivoted to a cross member 43 of table 59 as .by being placedbetween oppositely disposed angle members 44, securely anchored to saidsupport, protrusions 45 on opposite sides of said pedal seating inrounded apertures provided in said angle members for this purpose.

The operation of my device is as follows:

A carton strip ii] is placed between the jaws 2t, and six bottlesinserted therein in such manner that the bases thereof register withopenings M and indentations i la, the necks of said bottles then beingpassed through apertures l2 and lying in notches 23. Pressure is nowexerted on the end 66 of pedal til, with the result that said memberelevates column 31 and closing frame 34 against the tension of springs28 and 38, said closing frame rising to a point where it seats with wearplates 29' and 29; and as the pressure on pedal 4!! increases, saidclosing frame travels upwardly, and, exerting a wedge-like action onjaws 28, brings them to a vertical position. While this is beingaccomplished, prongs posite jaw is securely anchored a pair of stifiprongs 33 which may be stamped from a single sheet of metal as shown inthe drawings (Fig. 8), or comprise separate elements. In either event,said prongs protrude from the tops of the points established by middlenotch 23, and then lie in a'plane approximately at right angles to thatof the side 2| of the jaws.

Attention is now directed to the closing frame of the instant device,said frame comprising essentially a hollow square element 34, formed ofmetal or other suitable material, and having inside dimensions slightlygreater than the outside measurements of'supporting bed l8.- Element 34is reinforced by a series of downwardly extending supports 35, suitablyanchored thereto. at the top, and being bent inwardly as at 36 to uniteand form a single column at 31. A pair of coil springs 38 (Fig. l)encircle supports 35 in such manner that the tops of said springs bearagainst the under side of table I9 adjacent the points where saidsupports pass therethrough, and the bottoms of said springs are securedto the supports as at 39, so that there exists a normal tendency forclosing frame 34 to return to a position approximating that shown inFig. 1, in which said member rests on the top of table l9.

The bottom of column 31 is forked, as by terminating the front and rearsupports somewhat sooner than are the two side ones, said forked memberthen being drilled'as at '40 and passed over the end of a pedal 4|,which end is pro-. vided with an elongated slot 42; a bolt, washer,

33 have served to retain locking tab E5 in a position substantially atright angle to the bases of the bottles in the carton, said prongs nowserving to guide said locking tab over the top of bottle ll, which isthe middle bottle cradled in the jaw opposite that upon which aremounted prongs 33. Flat springs 30 has served to steady said bottle andhold it in the desired position during this movement, and as prongs .33guide locking tab l5 over the top thereof, unites with said prongs inguiding the opening it of the tab over the bottle cap and down onto theupper portion of the container. The position of opening it in thelocking tab is such that a slight strain must be exerted to force itover the largest diameter of the cap, which fact, plus the normaltendency of the carton to open, assures that the tab will stay under thecap until such time as it is forcibly removed, this in eflectguaranteeing a continuing locking of the carrier.

When pressure is released from pedal 41, the closing frame returns toits normal position and the jaws likewise assume the spread or openstateillustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, springs 28 and 38augmenting this action; and the locked carton remains upright and readyto be removed from the closing device, upon which a new blank may beinserted and the process repeated.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have disclosed a new anduseful device for the purposes indicated; that the structure thereof issimple, economical, and eflicient; and that same may be readily andeasily operated; all of which result in the saving of considerable laborand in eliminating a substantial degree of fatigue on the part ofworkers in bottling plants and the like.

It will further be apparent that certain modifications, changes,reconstructions, and alterations may be made in the preferred embodimentof my invention as disclosed herein, without departing from the scope ofthe appended claims which are to be broadly construed.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a supporting framework, asupporting bed placed thereon, a pair of jaws pivoted to opposite sidesof said bed, said jaws being adapted to receive a carton and bottlesplaced therein, a closing jaws and swinging same inwardly about their 7frame surrounding said bed in spaced relationship thereto and normallyout of contact with the jaws, means for elevating said closing framethereby engaging said jaws and swinging same pivots to a closed positionand locking a carton supporting framework, a supporting bed placedthereon, a pair of jaws pivoted to opposite sides of said bed, saidjawsbeing adapted to receive a carton and bottles placed therein, a closingframe surrounding said bed in spaced relationship thereto and normallyout of contact with the jaws, a series of reinforcing elements anchoredto said frame and extending downwardly therefrom, a' pedal pivoted tothe supporting framework and to the bottoms of said reinforcing elementsin such a manner asto raise the closingframe when said pedal isdepressed, thereby engaging said jaws and swinging same inwardly abouttheir pivots to a closed position, and means for locking a carton heldby said jaws, simultaneously with said closing movement.

3. In a device of the character described, a supporting framework, asupporting bed placed thereon, a pair of jaws pivoted to opposite sidesof said bed, said jaws being adaptedto receive a carton and bottlesplaced therein, a closing frame surrounding said bed in spacedrelationship thereto, a series of reinforcing elements anchored to saidframe and extending downfilled with bottles and supported by the jaws,

said prongs and'curved spring serving in conjunction with said upwardmovement to guide a tab on the carton over the top of a bottle dis-.

posed on the side of thecarton opposite the tab, and to secure saidlocking tab in place on the upper portion of such bottle.

7. In a device of the character described, a

supporting framework,-a supporting bed placed thereon, apair of jawspivoted to opposite sides wardly therefrom, spring means associated withsaid reinforced elements and tending to hold said closing frame out ofengagement with said jaws, a pedalpivoted to the supporting frameworkand to the bottoms of said reinforcing elements in such a manner as toraise the closing frame when said pedal is depressed, thereby engagingsaid jaws and swinging same inwardly about their pivots to a closedposition, means for looking a carton held by said jaws, simultaneouslywith said closing movement, and spring means serving to hold said jawsin a normally open position.

4. In a device of the character described, a supporting bed, a pair ofjaws pivotally mounted to opposite sides of 'said bed, the jaws beingadapted to receive a carton and bottles placed therein, means formoving'said jaws upwardly,

and means for closing and looking a carton held by said jaws and bed,simultaneously with said upward movement.

therefrom, a curved steel spring extending from the other jaw, a closingframe surrounding said bed in spaced relationship thereto and normallyout of contact with the jaws, means for elevating said closing framethereby engaging said jaws and swinging same inwardly about their pivotsto a closed position and locking a filled carton supported thereby. v

6. In a device of the character described, a supporting framework, asupporting bed placed with the jaws, means for elevating said closing ofsaid bed, a series of notchesin the upper portions of said jaws forengaging necks of bottles,-

a pair of stiff prongs secured to the upper portion of one of said jawsand protruding therefrom, a curved steel spring extending from theotherjaw, a-closing frame surrounding said bed in spaced relationshipthereto and normally out of contact with thetjaws, means for elevatingand swinging same inwardly about their pivots to a closed position andlooking a filled carton tions of said jaws for engaging necks ofbottles,

indentations formed in the inside lower portions of said jaws forreceiving the bases of bottles, a

pair ofstifl prongs secured to the upper portion of one of said jaws andprotruding therefrom, a curved steel spring extending from the otherjaw,

a closingframe surrounding said bed in spaced relationship thereto andnormally out of contact frame thereby engaging said jaws and swingingsame inwardly about their pivotsto a closed position and locking afilled carton supported thereby. I

9. In a device of the character described, a supporting framework, asupporting bed placed thereon, a pair of jaws pivoted to opposite sidesof said bed, a series of notches in-the upper portions of said jaws forengaging necks of bottles, indentations formed in the inside lowerportions of said jaw for receiving the bases of bottles, strips disposedat opposite ends of said jaws for preventing the 'sidewise movement of acarton and bottles cradled by said jaws, a pair of stiff prongs securedto the upper portion of one of thereon, a pair of jaws pivoted toopposite sides of said bed, a .pair of stiff prongssecured to the upperportion of one of said jaws and protruding therefrom, a curved steelspring extending from the other jaw, a closing frame. surrounding saidbed in spaced relationship'thereto and normally out of contact with thejaws, means for' elevating said closing frame thereby. engaging said 11.In a device of the characterdescribed. a

supporting framework, a supporting bed placed thereon, a pair of jawspivoted to opposite sides of said bed, a series of notches in the upperportions of said jaws for engaging necks of bottles, indentationsformed-in the inside lower portions of said jaws for receiving the basesof bottles, wear plates securedto the outside of said jaws, means forlimiting the downward movement of the jaws, a pair of stiff prongssecured to'the upper portion of one of said jaws and protruding theother jaw, a closing frame surrounding said bed in spaced relationshipthereto and normally out of contact with the jaws, means for elevatingsaid closing frame thereby engaging said jaws and swinging same inwardlyabout their pivots to a closed position and locking a filled cartonsupported thereby.

12. In a device of the character described, a supporting framework. asupporting bed placed thereon, a pair of jaws pivoted to opposite sidesof said bed, a series of notches in the upper portions of said jaws forengaging necks of bottles, indentations formed in the inside lowerportions of said jaws for receiving the bases of bottles,

wear plates secured to the outside of said jaws,

and protruding therefrom, a curved steel spring extending from the otherjaw, a closing frame surrounding said bed in spaced relationship.thereto and normally out of contact with the jaws, means for elevatingsaid closing frame 1 thereby'engaging said jaws and swinging sameinwardly abouttheir pivots to a closed position and locking a filledcarton supported thereby. i

13. Apparatus for loading and folding bottle laav szo therefrom, acurved steel spring extending from carrier cartons having' bottleengaging slots..

comprising, means for flexing the carton walls relative the carton baseincluding a wall engaging member having open-ended slots in registerwith the carton slots adapted to permit insertion of a bottle portionthrough the carton slots to project to the exterior of the cartonduring. the

folding operation.

15. Apparatus for loading and foldingbottle :carrier cartons havingbottle engaging openings comprising a carton base engaging member,carton wall engaging members hinged to the ends of the said carton baseengaging member, said base engaging member and wall engaging membersarranged to be movable relative one another to fold the carton wallsrelative the carton base and openings in a wall engaging member adaptedto permit insertion of a bottle portion through the carton opening toproject to the exterior of the carton during the folding operation.

" WILLIAM G. KALISKA.

